Static eliminators are products that protect susceptible items from the effects of static discharge. These static shields are also known as antistatic (anti-static) devices, anti-static electricity devices, or static charge eliminators. They work by dampening, reducing, or otherwise inhibiting its buildup or discharge. Read More…
Gordon Brush’s® ESD & cleanroom products meet the specific needs of the electronics industry plus industries where static electricity buildup is detrimental to manufacturing.
ITW Vortec manufactures compressed air products used to cool, clean, dry and remove static on large surfaces. Our Ionizing Curtain Transvector® Air Knives provide complete static control for printing, labeling, converting, packaging, laminating, food processing, conveying and more. Take a look at our online store!
As one of the world’s largest producers of static control equipment and products, Tech Spray™ offers Zero Charge® static control flooring finishers and cleaners, anti-static coatings, anti-static mats, hand lotion and freeze sprays plus anti-static desoldering braid bobbins.
We are a manufacturer of static control products, including anti-static bags. These products include the Series 4000 anti-static mat, personnel grounding items (wrist straps, heel grounders), field service kit, field meter, resistivity tester, hand lotion, floor products and aisle warning tape.
Committed to providing the finest cleanroom & static control products & services to a wide range of industries. Products include static control mats, anti-static bags & film, static shielding & conduct bags, static control apparel, ionizing guns, bars, blowers & nozzles, personnel grounding items, etc.
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Applications of Static Eliminators
Static discharge refers to the buildup of excess positive or negative ions in insulating materials like plastic or paper when their molecular structure becomes unbalanced. This imbalance is often caused by separation, temperature changes, and friction. An excess of ions can lead to equipment damage, minor electrical shocks, and fires. Static eliminators mitigate these risks.
Static electricity affects various industries, including automotive, electronics, medicine, plastics processing, printing, power generation, semiconductor processes, and residential services. Static eliminators effectively address static problems across these sectors.
Static Eliminator – Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc.
History
History of Static Eliminators
Humans have recognized static electricity since around the 7th century BC. Around 600 BC, Greek scientist Thales of Miletus documented that rubbing amber could attract dust and leaves. This effect, we now know, is due to friction generating static electricity. Later, Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle, described similar observations in his work “On Stones,” noting how certain materials like amber can attract other objects.
In 1600, British scientist William Gilbert distinguished between electricity and magnetism, a revelation that marked a significant departure from previous beliefs that the two were the same. Gilbert coined the term “electricus,” derived from the New Latin for “of amber,” referencing the ancient observations of amber’s electric properties. By 1646, the terms “electric” and “electricity” had become established in the English language.
Subsequently, global scientific interest in electricity surged. Benjamin Franklin famously demonstrated the connection between electricity and lightning by capturing an electric charge with a kite and key during a storm, leading to his invention of the lightning rod. In 1879, Thomas Edison further advanced the field by inventing the electric lightbulb.
In the early 1900s, the rise of electricity introduced the issue of static interference. By 1918, Canadian-American engineer Roy A. Weagant created the first static eliminator to address this problem, crucial for transatlantic wireless communications and military operations during World War I.
By 1948, engineers developed the transistor, followed by the integrated circuit in 1958. The digital age heightened the need for static eliminators. Extensive testing in the 1950s established ESD tolerance standards for devices. Today, with electricity usage soaring, engineers continuously innovate smaller, more sensitive anti-static technologies to counter static electricity.
How It Works
To effectively combat static electricity, one can utilize two primary types of solutions: active and passive.
Active static control systems require power to operate. These systems are highly effective because they do more than just reduce static electricity; they eliminate it. The most prevalent active solution is ionization, a process that neutralizes unbalanced charges and nullifies particle attraction, thereby preventing the generation of additional static electricity.
On the other hand, passive static control systems reduce surface static charges by absorbing them without the need for external power. Common passive solutions include grounding and electrostatic induction. Grounding works by establishing a direct electrical connection to the earth, allowing excess electrical charges to be safely discharged. Electrostatic induction, another passive method, involves placing a material or object capable of developing an opposite electrical charge near the unbalanced item. When in close proximity, the static eliminator generates a corresponding set of opposite ions, thereby balancing the unbalanced charge.
Types of Static Eliminators
Active Static Control Systems
Ionizers achieve ionization through a variety of methods, including chemical reactions, electrical discharge, radiation, high temperatures, and particle collisions. These static-eliminating devices can be divided into two categories: those that use alternating current (AC) and those that use direct current (DC).
One major benefit of AC ionizers is their natural ability to produce opposite polarity, giving them an edge over DC ionizers. Conversely, DC ionizers need additional circuitry or power supplies to generate opposite polarity, making them less efficient in comparison.
Anti-static bars, also known as ionization bars, are effective in combating static cling. Typically, these bars are mounted above industrial product lines. By emitting an ionized corona through the air, they neutralize static electricity, ensuring the smooth operation of production processes.
Passive Static Control Systems
Passive static control systems are essential in industrial and electronic settings, preventing static electricity buildup and discharge, which can damage sensitive equipment or pose safety hazards. Grounding straps and wrist straps are common grounding static eliminators, grounding machinery, and workers to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD). Static dissipative hoses, made from grounding materials, ensure safe material transport by preventing static buildup.
Anti-static brushes and bags use induction to eliminate static electricity during cleaning tasks and protect electronic components. Anti-static mats and flooring provide static-free workspaces by discharging electric fields and maintaining conductivity regardless of environmental conditions. These solutions are commonly used in factories and sensitive work areas to ensure safety and efficiency.
Anti-static sprays offer a unique method of static elimination by coating surfaces with a static-deterring layer. Effective on high-charge surfaces and in hard-to-reach areas, these sprays are made from diluted soap-based materials and often include flame retardants. Anti-static gloves protect both equipment and workers from static electricity, offering ESD protection in various applications.
Corona treatment, while less common, serves as an effective surface treatment for static control. By exposing surfaces to an electrical discharge, it enhances bonding with adhesives and inks while preventing static buildup. This treatment is particularly useful in applications requiring improved surface bonding and static protection. Together, these passive static control systems address the diverse challenges posed by static electricity in industrial and electronic environments.
How to Use Static Eliminators
Before initiating a static elimination procedure or installing static eliminators, it is essential for manufacturers to ascertain whether their products or processes have been adversely affected by static electricity. This determination can be made by testing with a static meter, such as an electrostatic field meter or an electrostatic voltmeter. Upon confirming the necessity for static elimination, suppliers will address the issue by deploying one or more types of static eliminators or ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) products available to them.
Safety and Compliance Standards
The safety and compliance standards for static eliminators vary based on your application, industry, and location. In the United States, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides guidelines to reduce the risk of fires and explosions, particularly benefiting operators in printing and coating industries. Additional U.S. organizations issuing standards include the military (Mil-Specs), the Electrostatic Discharge Association (ESDA), ANSI, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Globally, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has been setting electrostatic discharge standards since the 1980s. Ensure your supplier’s static control products meet IEC standards before proceeding. For specific standard requirements, consult with industry leaders.
Finding the Right Manufacturer
To find a suitable static eliminator, partnering with a reliable manufacturer is crucial. We have curated a list of top-rated static eliminator manufacturers to help you connect with a high-quality supplier, located in the middle of this page. Before starting your search, we suggest creating a personalized list of your specifications, requirements, questions, and concerns. Highlight crucial aspects such as budget, project timeframe, delivery preferences, and post-delivery support needs. Once your list is ready, explore the static eliminator suppliers and identify three or four that align most closely with your criteria. Contact each one to discuss your application in detail. Compare the conversations, considering prices and customer service quality. Finally, decide which manufacturer best fits your needs and reach out to finalize the deal.
